It was an emotional scene at Palmer Memorial Hospital, Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, as tears of joy and songs of praise filled the air at the commencement of a free medical and surgical outreach sponsored by the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Mr. Ime Okon.
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The outreach, which attracted a large turnout of beneficiaries, saw elderly men and women, children, physically challenged and constituents with chronic ailments throng the venue for medical attention.
Many of them were transported to the centre in buses provided by Mr. Ime Okon.
A team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, surgeons, optometrists, and dentists, attended to patients with various health conditions.
Cases ranging from high blood pressure, malaria, and typhoid to complex surgical procedures were lined up to be handled, while others who required continuous care were referred to private hospitals, with the financial burden shouldered by Mr. Okon.
Choked with emotion, the Village Council Chairman of Ikot Usen, Etubom Ebong Umoh, called the intervention a lifesaving gesture, saying it came when many residents were struggling with severe health challenges.
“Over 99 percent of the people here have serious medical conditions they could never afford to treat. Some would have died in pain, but Hon. Ime Okon has given them another chance at life. For wanting his constituents to live, he will live long and see no sorrow,” he prayed.
A beneficiary, 72-year-old Grace Sunday Umoh, who was diagnosed with acute malaria and typhoid, could not hold back tears as she recounted her ordeal.
“I have never been treated this well before. I have suffered because there was no money to go to the hospital. God will bless Ime Okon for this,” she said.
Similarly, 69-year-old Paul Okon Emmanuel, who received a pair of reading glasses after years of struggling with poor vision, expressed gratitude.
He said: “For years, I could barely read or see things clearly, but today, I can. This means so much to me.”
The atmosphere became even more emotional when the lawmaker arrived at the venue. At the sight of his car, constituents, young and old, broke into a spontaneous song of praise. They hailed his intervention as a divine blessing.
Speaking on the outreach, one of the attending medical professionals, Dr. Margaret Erhunmwunsee, commended Mr. Ime Okon for his sacrifice, noting that such programmes require huge financial commitments. “He could have spent this money on himself and his family, but instead, he chose to serve humanity. Many of these people cannot afford even a decent meal, let alone medical care. This is truly commendable,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the first day of the outreach recorded no fewer than 1,118 beneficiaries, with patients assessed and treated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The medical intervention is expected to run until Friday, March 14, 2025.
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